Hundreds attend milestone 50th Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards
Published on 11 November 2025
Local artist Sharlene Cheetham has been named as Overall Winner of The 50th Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards held at Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum (GRAGM) on Saturday 8 November.
Sharlene won the prestigious Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award for her artwork, “I’m just here for the fun”, winning $20,000 in prize money.
Section winners included Waikarakia (waters of prayer) by Linda Kypriadakis (Easel Works), The Outcome by William Debois (Works on Paper), All the Sea there, not Fineware by Andreia Pereira (Three Dimensions and Fibre Works) and Resonance by Diane Armstrong (Digital Works).
2025 awards judge Dr Simon Degroot, Creative Director of Queensland College of Art and Design at Griffith University said the exhibition features plenty of experimentation with materials, techniques and a variety of themes.
BRAINS TRUST: Dr Simon Degroot and Mayor Matt Burnett.
“This award exhibition shows a mature regional art scene engaging with both local specificity and broader contemporary concerns,” Dr Degroot said.
“There are many themes being explored across this exhibition; one of main themes being mental health, maintaining mental health and the way creativity and art making can connect us as human beings with one another.”
Dr Degroot said Sharlene’s artwork was exploration of those ideas.
“The overall winner is an abstract expressionist work. It has within its layers a whole history of scraping back and reworking, and it’s a work that embodies a tenacity to keep making,” he said.
“It’s a work about the mentally strong preparations we need to be able to go out and face the world – it’s an artwork about building, repair and self-love, and that’s what I really love about it.
“When I first came into the Awards Exhibition, I was immediately drawn to a number of works, while others were a slower burn and took time to reveal their meaning.
“Judging is a difficult process, but I am really pleased with all the winning works this year.”
OVERALL WINNER: Sharlene Cheetham with her artwork “I’m just here for the fun”.
Sharlene Cheetham said she was overcome and excited when her name was read out as the Overall Winner at the milestone event for her artwork, “I’m just here for the fun”.
“I’m absolutely blown away and totally overwhelmed, it’s an incredible feeling,” Sharlene said.
“I love painting and have been painting for the last four years developing my style. I love abstract, I love colour, I love texture, so it’s been a matter of developing that and just having fun, a lot of fun.”
“When I look at my own journey of entering every year, this year was the year where I felt the best about my work.
“I remember the first time that I brought my work in, and I thought this is quite terrifying but now I have built my confidence and it’s been a great journey of keeping at it, developing and trying to have fun.”
This year, 214 entries were received and displayed, including:
- 114 Section 1 entries, Easel Works
- 44 Section 2 entries, Works on Paper
- 39 Section 3 entries, Three Dimensions & Fibre Works
- 17 Section 4 entries, Digital Works.
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the quality of works on display matched the prestige associated with the 50th anniversary of one of regional Australia’s top art awards.
“We have an amazing and eye-catching display of artworks again this year, that not only reflects the artistic talent we have in the Gladstone Region and beyond, but also demonstrates just how highly respected the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards are,” Mayor Burnett said.
“Every year the legacy of Martin Hanson grows stronger and it’s been fantastic to see how the Art Awards have evolved since 1976.
“This growth wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Hanson family, countless businesses, artists, sponsors and individuals.
“The contribution of the Gladstone Artists’ Club, who organised the first Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards following Martin’s death in 1976 and Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, who became custodian of the Art Awards in 1993, has also been influential in keeping this legacy burning brightly.
“I’d also like to thank all our sponsors, including major sponsors Rio Tinto Yarwun and QAL, and everyone involved in making this important community event a possibility every year.”
Martin Hanson’s daughters – Elizabeth Zussino and Geraldine Courtney – were also present at the 50th anniversary event and still beam with pride when discussing their father’s legacy.
“I believe that Dad understood that an artistic community is the heart and soul of the community and [The Awards] was going to be something that grew and stayed in Gladstone for a very long time,” Geraldine said.
“It’s a vibrant exhibition – it’s fabulous.”
“He was always a great supporter of the artists,” Elizabeth said.
“It’s such a beautiful exhibition and it’s wonderful to see young people in it.
“It’s lovely to see them participating and growing their confidence and artistic talents.”
PROUD: Geraldine Courtney, Elizabeth Zussino and Leo Zussino.
Who was Martin Hanson?
Martin Hanson (1923-1976) was a popular and highly respected local businessman who was Member for Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Port Curtis 1963-1976, and patron to the Gladstone Artists’ Club.
As a tribute to his patronage, in conjunction with the Hanson family, the Gladstone Artists’ Club held the first Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards and Exhibition in 1976.
Martin Hanson
Want to be your own judge?
Voting is open for the QAL People’s Choice Awards, closing 2pm on Saturday, 24 January 2026.
Voting is simple:
- Visit GRAGM and enjoy the exhibition
- Scan the QR Code and enter your details prior to 2pm, 24 January 2026
- Choose your favourite in each section
- The QAL People’s Choice Awards Winners win $500 each.
Visit gragm.qld.gov.au for more details. The 50th Rio Tinto Yarun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards exhibition will be on display until Saturday, 7 February 2026.
Click here to see the full list of winners from the 2025 Awards.